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This is a Vintage 1930's or 1940's Monark Silver king built Wards Hawthorne aluminum mens bicycle. Aluminum tubing constructed using "mushroomed" tubes and chromed steel fork blades win no suspension. Aesthetically the frame is in pretty good condition and has a nice patina from over the years - fun to polish up and make it mirror shiny. The bike is mostly original. The fenders have several dings and dents, and they do not have the front and rear lamps/accent pieces. The crank is the original crank but the block pedals Wald and not original. Tires are matching Allstate safety tread, and are in ok shape but showing some cracking nonetheless. Rear holds air and the front is flat. The bike is rideable but will require a complete overhaul of the drive train to get back to fully operational. Very cool bike and with a little tlc and elbow grease would make for a great project bike.

Year is most likely late 1930's or early 1940's.This bicycle has the flat sided rims, no window lugs, and round shaped stainless fenders.

Monark was a unique company that had its start as a battery manufacturer from the early part of the century. There are quite a few art deco touches on all of the aluminum models from Monark Silver King. Lights, head tubes, rear stays, bottom brackets. The designers must have had fun going from batteries to bicycles.

Monark began building aluminum bicycles under the name Silver King in the 1930s and continued their production into the 1950s. Their unique style and light weight made them extremely appealing. Silver King also developed a monthly payment plan, making their purchase a bit more palatable for depression era consumers on a tight budget.

Made in Chicago, IL, U.S.A.

**Bicycle has been outfitted with a rear chainstay mounted Wald kickstand

***Notice that the frame has already been reworked. The pins have been replaced with screws (phillips) and the rear bolts have been replaced - left side is an allen bolt. Probably not stock.Because of the frame mods, this bicycle will have some issues trying to get it to completely stock. Quite a bit of work.

Measurements:

Seat Tube measures 19" (top to center)

Top Tube measure 24" (center to center)

Even though the bicycle has 24" wheels, it fits and rides like a full size balloon tire 26" bike.